§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what funds and support his Department gives to local groups running schemes to provide for latchkey children; what research his Department is carrying out into the problems faced by latchkey children; and what steps he is taking to ensure the provision of both statutory and voluntary after-school and holiday care for latchkey children.
§ Sir George YoungWe fully recognise the importance of play schemes and out of-school and holiday care for latchkey children and welcome moves to improve these services. The funding of these 747W schemes is primarily for local decision, although some central support is provided through the urban programme. For 1979–80, urban programme expenditure of over £800,000 has been approved for schemes from local authorities and voluntary organisations which include provision for latchkey children. This Department is not at present undertaking any research into the problems faced by these children.